10 Most Bizarre Things Found on Padre Island

Padre Island is one of the most beautiful areas in Texas, thanks to its glittering beaches and scenic sunsets. The 70-mile stretch of shoreline near Corpus Christi ends up being the final resting place for some of the strangest things in the Gulf of Mexico. Here's a list of some of the most bizarre objects that have washed ashore over the years.

1. Abandoned escape pod

Padre Island National Seashore

Confused beachgoers thought they had stumbled upon something extra-terreresterial when they spotted this massive spaceship-like object in 2009. It turns out the object was actually just an old empty escape pod from a ship.

2. Dr. Pepper vending machine

Padre Island National Seashore

It's not clear how this vending machine ended up floating aimlessly in the ocean, but you'll probably want to grab a bottle of Dr. Pepper from somewhere a little less salty.

3. Hard hats

One of the most common objects that float onto the beach are hard hats, which beachcombers have transformed into works of art by placing on them on an old weathered tree.

4. Golf cart

Padre Island National Seashore

After Hurricane Ike hit the area in 2008, many objects from homes in the surrounding area washed out into the ocean. The remains of this brightly-colored golf cart washed back onto the shore a short time after the storm had passed.

5. Semi axle

Padre Island National Seashore

This massive axle appears to be from a semi-truck, but it's impossible to say where it originally came from.

6. Buoys

Padre Island National Seashore

Buoys are meant to stay stationary far out in the ocean to help boaters navigate the area. A strong storm brought this one back onto the shore, miles from its original location.

7. Portuguese Man-of-War

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Visitors to Padre Island were shocked in 2012 when these bright and bizarre looking sea creatures washed ashore by the thousands. The poisonous animals usually drift in deep sea waters, but made a rare appearance that shut down many spring breakers' beach plans.

8. Tar balls

Over the years, residents have woken up to find their beach suddenly covered in large blobs of black tar. A series of oil spills in recent years have sent the gooey balls to the shore, which can vastly vary in size and shape.

9. Television

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A old-school television set covered in hundreds of barnacles was found washed up along the shore last year.

10. RV camper

Padre Island National Seashore

An entire pop-up RV camper suddenly appeared on the shore one morning. Although mobile living is all the rage, this one is probably too far gone to renovate.